Being remarkable sets you apart from everyone in your field of work. It not only sets you apart, but it puts you ahead. Ahead of the competition and ahead of the curve. That is somewhere we all strive to be as small business owners right? I am hoping to shed light on different markets and how different businesses can be remarkable in their own special and unique way. First up – The doctors office.

The idea is simple:

1. You set up an appointment by calling into the doctors.
2. Each half hour slot has its own extension on the doctors number (ie: call in and push 830 for 8:30am)
3. The doctors office sets each inbox to only allow ONE message (the person who is able to get the appointment for that time).
4. If the inbox is full, the person needs to select a different extension
5. When the office opens in the morning, they check messages and have a schedule ready to go without the issue of overbooking.

Why is this remarkable?

Have you been to the doctors office in the past 40 years? Do you see how many people are in the lobby waiting? Much more than the time allotted allows, but somehow the doctors see everyone (even if it is for only a few minutes and you leave unsure if you’ve really been treated correctly because you can’t even remember what your doctor said, it was over so quick – yeah, I’ve been there too).

The idea is remarkable because no other doctors office ONLY books 1 appointment for each time slot and no other doctors offices make it THIS EASY for you to book your time. The person visiting the doctors office is happy for a few reasons:

1. There is no real wait – you’re in at the time you called in for and there is nobody else waiting at the same time
2. Calling in and knowing your appointment is scheduled that fast takes a lot of weight off your shoulders, especially if you’re already under the weather.
3. It shows your doctor cares about you because he’s spending the entire half hour ONLY with you.

How many doctors offices could follow something so simple and turn it into what is remarkable about their office and gain more customer satisfaction and word of mouth exposure? I know my doctors office could. It’s generic just like every other doctors office. Simple posters showcasing some dumb catchphrases about health, a magazine rack and a fish tank. Sound like yours? Yeah, I thought so.